8 ways dancing keeps you fit and thriving

WHAT is dancing? According to Collins Unabridged Kindle Dictionary, to dance means ‘to move the feet and body rhythmically, especially in time to music’.

Dancing is an art form and a way to express yourself. It’s also a performance art and, sometimes, a rigorous discipline. But what many people may not think about is that it is a great way to stay fit – physically and mentally. It can help slow ageing, build muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness, among other amazing benefits.

Dancing comes in many forms, and the benefits will vary according to what type of dancing you do, but most forms of dance provide the following benefits:

1. Improves the condition of your heart and lungs

Almost all forms of dance require you to move to music which builds cardiovascular fitness. This improves the condition of your heart and lungs. Cardio/aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, strokes and even certain types of cancer. Have you noticed that when you get fitter, you get less out of breath when you have to take a walk around the block or ascend a flight of stairs? Not all forms of dance will improve your cardio fitness immensely, but if you want to excel at your dancing, it is good to have cardio fitness, so you would be inclined to build your fitness in other ways to improve your dancing skills.

Also read: International Dance Day: Dancing for fun is a journey

2. Increases your muscle and bone strength

Muscle strength is important for your metabolism to be healthy, and bone strength is vital, especially as you age. Dancing increases muscle strength as you are lifting your own limbs and body like you would weights. Muscle strength enables you to perform everyday tasks easily, eg, caring for kids, carrying your bags, cooking, cleaning and walking around, etc. The more muscle you have, the better your body metabolises your energy, therefore providing you with the energy you need throughout the day. Bone strength ensures your body is supported and healthy and prevents injuries and osteoporosis.

3. Gives you better coordination, agility and flexibility

Dancing helps you to improve your coordination as you have to learn steps. It’s not just a simple activity like walking or jogging – each movement is planned and requires you to move your body in time to the music and in a certain pattern. The varied movements also improve your agility and flexibility. Ballet, hip-hop, street and belly dancing, etc, would especially be good for improving your agility and flexibility, but all forms help in some way, especially as you advance up to higher levels.

4. Improves balance and spatial awareness

Dancing helps you to improve your balance as you often have to stand on one foot, spin around or bend down for certain steps. You become more aware of your body, of the space it takes up as you move and of other people around you as most dancing occurs in groups or with a partner. Improved balance and spatial awareness help you with other activities or sports.

Also read: Kathy’s Window: I danced with a world champ

5. Increases self-confidence and self-esteem

The more you grow and improve in your dancing, the more confident you become as a person. It requires you to express your own style – the more you do that, the more relaxed you become in your own skin and in the way your body moves. You learn about your physical capabilities which gives you confidence.

It is unlikely that a person who hates themself is going to enjoy dancing. It requires an ability to respect your body and appreciate all it can do for you. Even if you start off dancing with low self-esteem, after time, as your fitness and ability increase, so will your self-confidence and self-esteem. It requires you to come face to face with how you feel about yourself and confront any negative thinking patterns you hold about your own body or style.

6. Improves mental functioning/fitness

Dancing is not an easy sport mentally. It takes intense concentration and memory to remember the steps and techniques as you dance. This keeps your brain active and helps with ageing. We have all heard how keeping our minds stimulated is essential to prevent diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is also interesting and fun for those who enjoy a sport that provides physical as well as mental stimulation.

7. Improves general and psychological well-being

Because you are building fitness mentally and physically, you’re going to feel great with all those endorphins released into your system. It’s going to put you on a high and ultimately improve your energy levels and mood. The self-expression part of dancing, and enjoying the music while you dance, adds to the psychological benefit. There is also the social component as very few dancers dance alone. It provides an opportunity to make friends and meet people from other walks of life. That goes onto the next point …

8. Better social skills – you become socially fit

Dancing teaches you to get on with others because you either have to sync your steps with others or you have to get on with coaches, teachers or fellow dancers. You often have to share the floor, sometimes changerooms, and often the stage which requires a give and take and an ability to be kind, accommodating and respectful to others. Competitive dancing requires an ability to not lose poorly, ie, not have a temper tantrum when you don’t win, and to win graciously, ie, not become arrogant and disrespectful of others because you have won.

I hope this has made you consider taking up dancing as a hobby or sport. You won’t regret it!

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